[Bjur]

I currently have in living room a WHS 2011 which also acts as a HTPC. I also have a E350 as secondary HTPC in another room but would like to build a new setup.

I'm considering 3 options:

1. Buy low profile graphic card in Server/HTPC + buy new HTPC to room 2.

Graphic card:
GT630:
http://www.edbpriser.dk/grafikkort/asus-...31811.aspx
or
AMD6670:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0062...ROKL5A1OLE

Room 2:

A8-7600

Streacom FC1
http://www.streacom.com/products/f1c-evo-chassis/
+150w PicoPSU

ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+
http://www.edbpriser.dk/bundkort/asrock-...39483.aspx
NH-L9a
http://www.edbpriser.dk/processorkoeling...58440.aspx
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 380 Euro,-


2. New HTPC in living room + opgrade room 2 to a Athlon 5350:

Living Room:
A8-7600
Streacom FC1
+150w PicoPSU
ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+
NH-L9a

Room 2:
Athlon 5350 2 GHz
ASRock AM1H-ITX
Genbruge kabinet:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
total: 480 Euro,-


3. Low Profile in server HTPC + opgrade room 2:

Living Room:
GT630: 426,-
or
AMD6670:

Room 2:
Athlon 5350 2 GHz 408,-
ASRock AM1H-ITX 404,-
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 150,- Euro


I'm interested in having as good picture as possible, that's why I have chosen a A8-7600 with 384 shaders and also be able to light gaming CS Go.
Perhaps MadVR on some level.

My questions are the following:

1. How would the Streacom FC1 chassis handle heat and noise when putting in a A8-7600 or similar 65W TDP? I would add a SSD + slim drive (perhaps) which I already have.

2. Any thought about the 3 options?

My thoughts was initially that having 2 separate HTPC's was good for flexibility but adding a low profile graphic to my WHS 2011 Server would add more shaders compared to the HD6450 I have in now.

Hope someone can help

[DocG]

You mean the F1C? I've used that case, and you won't be able to fit a slim drive in there unless you use a ultra low profile cooler which won't do a very good job of cooling your A8. In fact, if you want to get your Noctua in there, you need to remove even the SSD mount, and cramp the SSD onto the side. I actually used a 1.8" SSD in that case which I had taped to one of the sides. Still very cramped in there. And it's such a massive case, compared to say a NUC.

[Bjur]

Yes I mean the F1C. Hmm had hoped I could use that case, but what can be recommended then?

I can't use my drive in that case, since it ejects the whole tray out.

It needs to be small and look good (if possible)?

[RaggSokk3n]

Could always change mb to one supporting msata/m2 ssd that way you don't need the drive cage..

[DocG]

Yes I mean the F1C. Hmm had hoped I could use that case, but what can be recommended then?

I can't use my drive in that case, since it ejects the whole tray out.

It needs to be small and look good (if possible)?

Do you want to build yourself? Ever considered whether an i5 NUC would work for your purposes? I, for one, no longer build my own XBMC boxes. Servers, which can be hidden away in the office, yes, but I simply can't build to the size that is available to buy as barebone systems, such as the NUC. I've actually replaced my AMD self-build, the one I've used the F1C for, with a Celeron-based Asus Chromebox, and I couldn't be happier. If you want more than just XBMC, there's a range of NUCs, Brix, and Zotac boxes, all much smaller and at least some of them better looking than what you could build yourself. For a standalone XBMC box that has to be small and good-looking, I'd really have to recommend the HP Chromebox, even though that may not be enough for your purposes.

That said, if you do want to build yourself, and you do like the F1C case, the drive cage will have to come out, including the fan which is a part of it. Might be an option to follow the suggestion of RaggSokk3n, otherwise, there's always 3M tape!

[Bjur]

Thanks for the suggestions. The reason I want to build self is for flexibillity and then later on I would then be able to upgrade. I don't have the same possibility with "closed" cases. Furthermore I have a preference for AMD which isn't available the same way NUC are. I don't know why but I think the PQ is better with AMD compared to Intel and especially on SD material and Deinterlacing. Perhaps it's just my eyes.
I can see the Streacom is not ideal for me, so I have looked at these 2 options:

Lian Li Q07 + PicoPSU:
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-q07/

or

Lian Li Q09:
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-q09fn/

Do you have any thoughts about these 2 chassis with AMD A8-7600 build?